September Wrap-up: Dolly’s Estate

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This month, the biggest story in the elder law world revolves around Dolly Parton’s estate.

Dolly’s Legacy

Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026 at the age of 80. Prior to her death she was a super star, sequin-clad, signer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist. Her estate is estimated at about $450 million and includes her music catalogue full of western hits like Jolene, 9 to 5 and Islands in the Stream. Beyond her music catalogue, her estate also includes her theme park Dollywood, and a business empire. Her charitable contributions ranged from medical research, education, and emergency relief. Notably, she started her own non-profit Imagination Library, which has give over 200 million books to children to promote literacy.

In order to preserve and advance this massive legacy, her estate called for the creation of She’s Alive, LLC to manage messaging, philanthropic efforts and legacy.

The Drama

We don’t know much about Dolly’s estate plan. Many speculate that it includes multiple private trusts and business enterprises to keep estate affairs private.

This month, Parton’s estate was dragged into the spotlight after She’s Alive LLC fired Parton’s nephew Mr. Bryan Seaver from his position as head of security. The manager of She’s Alive LLC, Mr. Danny Nozell also filed for a restraining order against Mr. Seaver. The request for restraining order accuses Seaver, of extortion, threats and intimidation. In exchanges with other professionals associated with the Parton Estate, Mr. Seaver describes himself as a killer and claimed his extensive military experience. Seaver also allegedly threatened to start a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships. This week, the Court granted a temporary restraining order.

While we don’t know exactly what Parton’s estate plan looked like, the glimpses we do get into it through her LLC and business structures, appear as though she put a lot of thought into it. This situation just goes to show, even the most well thought out plans, don’t always go to plan. Families are complicated and you never know who is going to start trouble after you are gone.

Other stuff

If Dolly’s estate drama doesn’t interest you, maybe some of these other stories related to elder law will:

  • A study of hundreds of contested trust cases reveals what circumstances that send heirs to court. Christopher Ryan, one of the study’s authors says that an arrangement combining ordinary sibling rivalry with a power imbalance (such as one of them serving as trustee and beneficiary and the other only being a beneficary) seems to lead to conflict.
  • On September 2, 2026, The ABA issued a formal opinion regarding model ethics rule 1.14 regarding representation of clients with diminished capacity. The opinion states: “At times, the lawyer may believe that a client’s situation is so serious that the least restrictive option to protect the client is a guardianship. The appointment of a guardian is a serious deprivation of the client’s rights and should not be pursued if less restrictive measures are available.”
  • Signing a family settlement agreement? Pay attention to the verbiage and exactly what you ask for.

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Robert B. Fleming

After more than 50 years of practice, Robert Fleming will retire on January 1, 2027. Our hearts are full of appreciation for Robert. A founding member of Fleming & Curti, PLC, he leaves behind a legacy built on mentorship, advocacy and education. A champion of autonomy and self-reliance, Robert advocated for thousands of vulnerable children and adults throughout his career. A visionary in the Special Needs Planning and Elder Law communities, his innovative ideas created new opportunities for individuals with special needs. The Fleming & Curti team look forward to celebrating Robert and promoting the legacy he leaves behind in the decades ahead.

If you would like to meet with Robert or learn more about Fleming & Curti, PLC, please contact us at 520-622-0400 or by email: FlemingAndCurti@gmail.com.

Attorney

Robert Fleming is a Fellow of both the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He has been certified as a Specialist in Estate and Trust Law by the State Bar of Arizona‘s Board of Legal Specialization, and he is also a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. Robert has a long history of involvement in local, state and national organizations. He is most proud of his instrumental involvement in the Special Needs Alliance, the premier national organization for lawyers dealing with special needs trusts and planning.

Robert has two adult children, two young grandchildren and a wife of over fifty years. He is devoted to all of them. He is also very fond of Rosalind Franklin (his office companion corgi), and his homebound cat Muninn. He just likes people, their pets and their stories.

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Elizabeth N.R. Friman

Attorney

Elizabeth Noble Rollings Friman is a principal and licensed fiduciary at Fleming & Curti, PLC. Elizabeth enjoys estate planning and helping families navigate trust and probate administrations. She is passionate about the fiduciary work that she performs as a trustee, personal representative, guardian, and conservator. Elizabeth works with CPAs, financial professionals, case managers, and medical providers to tailor solutions to complex family challenges. Elizabeth is often called upon to serve as a neutral party so that families can avoid protracted legal conflict. Elizabeth relies on the expertise of her team at Fleming & Curti, and as the Firm approaches its third decade, she is proud of the culture of care and consideration that the Firm embodies. Finding workable solutions to sensitive and complex family challenges is something that Elizabeth and the Fleming & Curti team do well.

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Amy F. Matheson

Attorney

Amy Farrell Matheson has worked as an attorney at Fleming & Curti since 2006. A member of the Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council, she is primarily responsible for estate planning and probate matters.

Amy graduated from Wellesley College with a double major in political science and English. She is an honors graduate of Suffolk University Law School and has been admitted to practice in Arizona, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia.

Prior to joining Fleming & Curti, Amy worked for American Public Television in Boston, and with the international trade group at White & Case, LLP, in Washington, D.C.

Amy’s husband, Tom, is an astronomer at NOIRLab and the Head of Time Domain Services, whose main project is ANTARES. Sadly, this does not involve actual time travel. Amy’s twin daughters are high school students; Finn, her Irish Red and White Setter, remains a puppy at heart.

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Famous people's wills

Matthew M. Mansour

Attorney

Matthew is a law clerk who recently earned his law degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. His undergraduate degree is in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Matthew has had a passion for advocacy in the Tucson community since his time as a law student representative in the Workers’ Rights Clinic. He also has worked in both the Pima County Attorney’s Office and the Pima County Public Defender’s Office. He enjoys playing basketball, caring for his cat, and listening to audiobooks narrated by the authors.

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